Butterfly McQueen Interview (June 4, 1990)

Del Ward interview.
Butterfly McQueen (born Thelma McQueen; January 8, 1911 - December 22, 1995) was an American actress. Originally a dancer, McQueen first appeared in films as "Prissy" in Gone with the Wind (1939). She also appeared in the films Cabin in the Sky (1943), Mildred Pierce (1944), and Duel in the Sun (1946).
Often typecast as a maid, she said: "I didn't mind playing a maid the first time, because I thought that was how you got into the business. But after I did the same thing over and over, I resented it. I didn't mind being funny, but I didn't like being stupid."[2] She continued as an actress in film in the 1940s, and then moved to television acting in the 1950s. She won a 1980 Daytime Emmy Award for her performance in the ABC Afterschool Special episode "Seven Wishes of a Rich Kid".
Early life and education
Born January 8, 1911 in Tampa, Florida,[3][4] Thelma McQueen was the daughter of Wallace McQueen, a stevedore/dockworker, and Mary McQueen, who worked as a maid.[5] After her parents separated, Thelma lived with her mother in Augusta, Georgia, where she was educated by nuns at a convent. She had planned to become a nurse until a high-school teacher suggested that she try acting. McQueen initially studied with Janet Collins and danced with the Venezuela Jones Negro Youth Group. Around this time she acquired the nickname "Butterfly" - a tribute to her constantly moving hands - for her performance of the Butterfly Ballet in a production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Disliking her birth name, she later legally changed it to Butterfly McQueen. She performed with the dance troupe of Katherine Dunham before making her professional debut in George Abbott's Brown Sugar.[3]

[@bigchungus1452]

Really has an effect on your perception of the character when you realize that’s her real voice.

[@dantecarter1836]

Beautiful Woman with a Beautiful Voice

[@sweetjane5033]

a beautifully talented artist!!

[@javimu111]

How much I would have LOVED to have met Ms. McQueen!! I missed my chance to go see her LIVE in a Tour of "Showboat" in the late 1970's, in Tampa/St. Petersburg!! (it was actually playing in St. Petersburg!!). I should have BEGGED my parents to take me to see her!! I so now REGRET it!!

[@sweetjane5033]

me too!!!!!!!!!!!!❤❤❤❤❤

[@roberthanff4354]

She's simply adorable! Love her to bits ❤

[@rlmack5]

This wonderfully talented woman was also great in "Mildred Pierce".

[@klassicalmuzik]

She’s also amazing in Cabin In The Sky.

[@brennymcphees7557]

Butterfly was a real sport to go along with the interviewer in repeating her famous line, but you can see her roll her eyes a couple of seconds later at 9:43.

[@BacktotheATL]

what a lovely lady

[@blkcoverboy1049]

Love her voice! Reminds me of Glenda from the Wizard of Oz

[@Valmont-]

La Gracita Morales americana.Dos artistas imprescindibles en la historia del cine.Maravillosas;angeles del celuloide más entrañable y mágico. Bravisimas👏👏👏👏👏

[@Love4me34]

She talks just like the R&B singer Michel'le Denise Toussant

[@kanegorgeous3046]

Enjoyed her & Mamie on "Gone with the wind" she was lucky to have met Vivien Leigh. When Vivien Leigh died I wasn't even born yet.

[@Marketoromagnolo]

has she ever talked about joan crawford and the movie book about her?

[@lovelife2186]

Don’t ever cut her off white who

[@wonderful4life]

??????

[@MistressofCrime]

Love her❤